Folk Femmes Violet And The Undercurrents To Be Featured On Two Indie Anthems Compilations

Website:http://violetvonderhaar.com/Four folk-inspired females have joined together to bring a slew of soulful, modernized Americana tracks to the masses and have thus far been met with a coterie of new fans and more opportunities to share their music and message. Their latest accomplishments include organizing a western U.S. tour for spring 2014 and having their track “Runnin” featured on two Indie Anthems compilations from WiFi PR Group.

Lead vocalist, guitarist and bandleader Violet Vonder Haar originally founded Violet and the Undercurrents as a full backup band to support her own original music. After a stint teaching a middle school music class, which she loved, she chose the path of pursuing her own music full-time, though she still teaches private lessons on the side. She chronicles this decision in the song “The Smallest Bird” on the group’s recording debut, Hour After Hour (2013).

Though Violet and the Undercurrents began as a backup to her music, over time the band evolved, losing and adding members along the way to reach its current makeup. The music too evolved and is now a product of all of the band members’ inspirations and influences. The current lineup includes drummer Phylshawn Johnson, cellist Caitlin Lukin and bassist and background vocalist Carly Allen.

The four members come from a variety of backgrounds and have a wide range of influences. Violet began taking vocal and guitar lessons since she was young, and music has always been a part of her education, passion and career. Phylshawn exudes a funkiness all her own in her beats and rhythms after years of experience playing with bands of all different genres and styles. Caitlin draws influences from other cellist-driven bands but lends her own Appalachian folk style to the group. Carly grew up playing in jazz and funk bands and has an easygoing, funky feel about her playing as well.

Through a wide range of musical influences, Violet and the Undercurrents have created a sound that enhances folk music with sophistication and modernistic sensibilities. They’re most often compared to The Local Natives and Ani DiFranco, both named as their influences, as well as The Weepies, Neko Case and Company of Thieves. These influences come through in the band’s music, particularly in the tracks on their album Hour After Hour, a collection of deep, heartfelt tunes that move the audience both physically and emotionally. The album was recorded and released in July 2013 on the band’s drummer, Phylshawn Johnson’s, independent record label, The Nation of Love, which she formed in 2009. Their next album is due to be released in April 2014.

Violet and the Undercurrents will have their track “Runnin” featured on two WiFi PR Group compilations: Indie Anthems Vol. 5, to be released at Coachella in April 2014, and Indie Anthems Vol. 7, to be released at Lollapalooza in August 2014. At both festivals, the digital mixtape will be handed out on 3,500 download cards to festival attendees, and 1,500 more copies will be available for download from the Indie Anthems Bandcamp page.

After running a successful Kickstarter to raise funds, Violet and the Undercurrents are set to take off on a tour across the western United States from April 11 to May 11. In the meantime, they have scheduled other live performances, including a solo home concert in their hometown of Columbia on February 22nd, a show at Mojo’s in Columbia on March 7th, one at Shangri La in Austin, TX, on March 13th and another at Café Acoustic in St. Joseph, MO, on March 21st.

You can find physical copies of their music, including their debut album Hour After Hour, at these and other live performances. You can also download and enjoy their music digitally via The Nation of Love store, their Bandcamp, iTunes and Amazon.

You can also watch videos on their YouTube channel, including a summer 2013 performance live at the Blue Note and Tiny Couch Sessions for their songs “Move Me” and “Anything You Want.”

WiFi PR Group, www.wifiprgroup.com, based in Los Angeles, CA, is an innovative marketing force in the interconnecting worlds of Philanthropy, Business and Entertainment. Specializing in digital publicity and branding, WiFi PR works closely with its clients to create business to business and business to consumer campaigns.